NYC Hostel Law Faces Safety Hurdle

By Kaitlin Ugolik

Law360, New York (July 15, 2013, 6:52 PM ET) -- A bill to allow the development and operation of for-profit hostels in New York City under the oversight of a special city office could fill an important gap in New York's hotel market, experts say, but a debate over safety concerns may stymie the effort.

The proposed law would establish a city office to license and regulate for-profit hostels, currently illegal in New York thanks to a statute forbidding more than four unrelated people from staying in single hotel room that isn't run by a not-for-profit....